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JOSEPH B; SPURGN AND THOMAS A. KlR-K, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. Letters Patent No. 73,551, dated January 21, 1868.

` IMPROVED RAILWAY-SWITCH.

v TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that we, Jos'spn B. .SrUnGIn and Tnonns A. KIRK, of Kansas City, in the county of Jackson, and State of Missouri, have invented a new and improved Railroad-Switch and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in Vthe art to make and uso the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of our improved switch.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view ofthe portion of the saine, marked X X in iig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view ofthe portion of the same, marked Y Yin g. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Our invention has for its objectto furnish an improved railroad-switch, so constructed and arranged that no switchman will be required; that `two trains can pass each other in motion upon the switch with safety; that vtrains may pass over the switch at'full speed without danger of accident from false switching; and that the i engineer, by simply moving his traiin forward and backward, can transfer it from one-main track to the other,

or to the switch-traek, as he may desire; and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement-of the two main tracks, one or more inclined or spur-switch tracks, and one or more switch-tracks, with each other; in the combination of peculiarly-constructed pieces with the inclined or oblique tracks, and with the direct tracks; and in the combination ofthe movable rail and spring with the switch-track and main track, the whole being constructed and arranged as hereinafter more fully described.

A and B are the main tracks, C is the switch-track, and D are oblique, inclined, or spur-tracks. Wherever the rail or rails of one track cross the rail or rails of another track, ordinary frogs E and guard-rails F are placed to guide the wheels in the proper direction; and wherever an oblique or spur-track joins a'direct track, the peculiar pieces Gr H are used. These pieces Gr l-I arc of a less height than the rails, and at the same time the diiference in height between the rails and the said pieces is less than the projection of the flanges beyond r the tread ofthe car-wheels, so that when the train is moving in one direction, one of the pieces, as G, acts as a guide-rail to direct the wheel to the proper track, while the other, H, supports the cars, the langc of thewheel rolling vover it while the tread of said wheel is passing from one rail to the other, and when the train is moving in the other direction, while the ilange of one wheel is rolling over the piece H, the other, Gr, supports the other wheel while passing from one rail to the other. At the points'where the switch-track joins the main track, the end, I, of one rail is made movable, and is held up against the side of the adjacent rail bythe spring J, so that as the train passes from the switch-track O to the main track A or B, the llange of the wheels may push the movable rail out ofthe way, and when the train is passing along the main track, the said piece I, being pressed by the spring J close up against the rail, the cars cannot pass upon the switch-track. Upon thc side ofthe track, opposite to the movable rail I, is placed one of the pieces, H, which supports the flange of the wheel while its tread is passing from one rail to the other. n

It will be'observed that each of the main trucks, A and B, passes forward in a straight line until it is ready to join the other main track; then it inclines towards the other track, and unites with it by means of the pieces G H.

It will also be observed that if la train passes in from either direction, and continues to advance, it will -pass out upon the other track without the danger vor possibility of switching wrong.

This construction enables a train to pass through under full headway without danger.

When a train which has passed in, and is standing uponthe main track B, is to be transferred-to the switcntrack C, all that is necessary is to back the train, when the pieces G H will guide it upon one ofthe oblique'or spur-tracks D, which will transfer it to the switch-truck C, i

Any desired number of oblique tracks D, and switchutracks C, may be used, according to the business and requirements of the road, and they may be placed upon one or both sides of the main tracks, as may be desired.

When a train which has entered and stands upon the track A, is to be transferred to the switch-track C, it must first advance and back upon the main track B; then, by again advancing, it will be transferred to the switcl1-track C.

When a train is standing upon the switch-track C, and advances in either direction, it will always bass to the main track at thc end of the said switch-track by operating the movable or spring-rail I, and cannot possibly leave the switch-track at any other point.

We claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination and arrangement of the two main tracks, A and B, one or more oblique or inclined tracks D, and one or more switch-tracks C, with each other, substantially inthe manner herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth. I l l 2. The pieces Gr and H, one or both' constructed substantially as described, in combination with thc rails of two tracks, at the point where the said tracks meet and uniteA to form one track, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth. l

JOSEPH B. SPURGIN, THOMAS A. KIRK.

Witnesses:

E. J. GILLETTE, WILLIAM EVANS. 

